Chapter Four: Care

I walked into the kitchen, using the cell phone as my only light source, to find a flashlight. Once I finally found it, I searched around the kitchen for some matches and a candle. I muttered to myself as I walked back into the family room to light it. I was about to call someone, Jessica, Alice, Angela, just to see if all of Forks was out, but my cell phone had no service and the land lines were down.

I lay on the couch and curled into a ball right next to the candle. I hated this. I hated having to be alone like this.

I started thinking about another memory I had of my family from when I was younger. It was in 2nd grade. There was an awful storm in Forks, much like this one, and the power had gone out. I've always hated thunderstorms. They scared the crap out of me even as a child. Both of my parents knew that. So when the power went out, they did anything they could to keep me distracted. So, we found a bunch of flashlights and blankets and candles and set them up around the room. We got some snacks and sat on the floor. I sat on my dad's lap as my mom read one of my favorite books at the time aloud to me. I was actually sad when the power came back on.

I was scared shitless when suddenly there was a loud knock on the door. I screamed and jumped up, running to the door to make sure it was locked. I peeked out the window to see a man standing there with a hood pulled up over his head so you couldn't see his face. I was too afraid to open the door, so I just stood there praying to God whoever it was would just go away.

"Bella!" I heard a familiar velvety voice call. "It's Edward! Let me in!"

I quickly unlatched the locks on the door and yanked it open. And there he stood, his bronze hair dripping wet and sparkling in the limited moonlight.

I let him in and shut the door, locking it behind him.

"Edward, what in God's name are you doing here? It's awful out there!" I yelled as he shook his hair out.

"You said you didn't like thunderstorms." He shrugged. "So, I figured that you really wouldn't like one where the power goes out. I wanted to make sure you were ok."

I smiled lightly at him. "That's really sweet of you. But those roads are bad. I would have never forgiven myself if you had gotten hurt on the way here."

He rolled his eyes. "Please. I'm an excellent driver. It takes more than a little storm to mess me up."

Just then a flash of lightening so bright that it lit up my house struck, and a massive boom from the thunder followed it.

"Little storm?" I said sarcastically.

He laughed. "Well, you know what I mean."

I took a moment to look him over. The only part that was really wet on him was his hoddie and his hair. Everything else was relatively dry.

"Here, let me grab you a towel." I turned around and felt my way to the linen closet that was next to the kitchen.

"Be careful!" He said.

"Please. It takes more than a little blackout to mess me up." I said with a smirk though he couldn't see. I heard his laugh travel through the darkness and couldn't help but smile.

I quickly grabbed a towel and then made my way back over to where he was standing. I handed it to him.

"Thanks." He said softly.

"Yup. Why don't you take your shoes off and have a seat?" I suggested. "You might be here for a while."

He laughed. "Are you holding me hostage?" He teased.

I laughed with him. "Until the roads clear, yes, you are my captive."

I watched as he slipped his shoes off and then began towel drying his hair. After that he stripped of his wet hoodie to reveal a light green undershirt that was slightly damp and uncomfortable looking.

He then pulled out of his front pocket a small flashlight and shined it so that it somewhat illuminated the room we were in.

"Here, go have a seat in the living room. I'll take the flashlight upstairs and get some more candles and supplies." I offered.

He nodded and handed me the flashlight. "Be careful." He said sternly.

"Yes, sir." I said with another smirk.

I carefully made my way up the stairs. I knew that I had put some candles in the bathroom closet and that there was also a clean laundry basket sitting near the bathroom that contained an old flannel shirt that Edward could borrow.

After I grabbed the shirt for Edward to borrow, I remembered what I was wearing. It wasn't exactly flattering, but it would have to do…it would be too obvious if I changed my outfit right now. I shrugged after a moment. What did it matter? It's not like a guy like that would actually have interest in me.

So I threw all the supplies in an empty basket near the bathroom and then started back down the stairs, the flashlight slightly illuminating my path. When I got back to the hallway I could just barely make out Edward sitting on the couch by the one candle I had lit. I reached into my basket and pulled out the clean shirt.

"Here. The one you're wearing looks uncomfortable." I threw the shirt at him. "Sorry about the flannel. It's the only thing Charlie wears." I said with a shrug.

He smiled at me. "It's quite alright. Thank you, Bella."

I smiled back and mumbled a "mhmm" as I started to light candles. Once they were all light, I placed them in various places around the room so it was somewhat lit up. I stood back after a moment and made sure the candles were all in safe places that wouldn't cause a fire. After a moment I was satisfied, and I started to walk back to the couch.

As I turned around though, I got sidetracked. Edward was changing his shirt, pulling of his green one to reveal what was probably the best body I'd ever seen. I looked away quickly, blushing, before returning to my spot on the couch. I curled up in the end of it and pulled a blanket around me.

"So what should we do to occupy ourselves until the storm passes?" He asked.

I looked up to see him buttoning the flannel shirt. I shrugged.

"I don't know…we could…play a game?" I suggested lamely.

He laughed. "Okay. How about 20 questions. If we're going to be stuck together for a while, we might as well get to know each other."

I bit my lip. I hated answering questions about myself, but it was only fair.

"Only under one condition." I said, looking at him seriously.

"Okay, what?"

"We each get three vetoes." I said firmly.

"One." He countered.

"Two." I offered back.

He nodded. "Okay. You go first."

I bit my lip and thought for a few moments. What was something that I wanted to know about Edward, this Greek god that was standing in front of me?

"Hmmm…when's your birthday?" I asked lamely.

He smiled. "June 20th. When's yours?"

"September 13th."

He grinned again. "So it's coming up? Is there going to be a party?"

I glared at him. "Don't get any ideas. I hate parties. I hate anything that has to deal with me being the center of attention."

"Noted." He said with an all too innocent smile. "Ok, next question."

"Favorite color?" I randomly threw out.

His eyes smoldered as he said "Brown."

I blushed furiously and looked down at my hands. "Okay, your turn."

He looked thoughtful. "Let's see…What does your mom do?"

This guy wasted no time whatsoever.

"Veto." I said quickly.

"Okay then." He didn't press for details, and he just went on asking another pointless question. By the end of the next hour, nothing else stressful had been approached.

Finally, after about two hours, the storm seemed to have moved on, the thunder not nearly as bad as it was earlier. By now, we also had cell reception again, so Edward informed his parents that he was safe and he'd let them know when he was on his way home.

I smiled at him. "By the way-" I said, interrupting his turn. "Thank you for coming over here. It was really sweet of you." I blushed slightly and looked down at my hands again.

"Don't thank me. I could tell that you were upset earlier, and I couldn't just leave you alone…especially when the power went out. I knew you'd freak out." He said with a chuckle.

I looked up and glared. "Don't make fun of me. I've always hated thunderstorms. Ever since I was little they've freaked me out."

I checked my cell phone to see the time. It was 11pm. And suddenly, thank God, the power clicked back on.

"Finally." I muttered. All the clocks were blinking 12:00, and I knew it was going to be a pain to go around and change them all back. I stood up, stretching. We hadn't moved since we first began our game, so I was quite stiff.

"I should probably start heading home." Edward said as he stood up also. "It's getting pretty late…you'll be okay now, right?" He looked at me with concerned eyes.

"Oh yeah, I'll be fine. Just shoot me a text when you get home so I know you're okay."

He looked at me curiously. "Are you always this…preoccupied with taking care of others?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Does anyone ever get the chance to take care of you?"

"Nope. It's not in my nature to let people take care of me. It never has been."

Edward walked to the door with me trailing behind him.

"Well, I don't think that's fair." He said as he opened the door. A cool breeze rolled in making my hair fan back slightly. "Everyone needs to be taken care of once in a while."

I shook my head as he walked out the door. "Some of us don't have that luxury, Edward." I said quietly, regretting the words as soon as they were out of my mouth. "I'll see you later, Edward." And then I shut the door, quietly retreating to my room.

Some of us don't have the luxury of being taken care of. Some of us don't have anyone to take care of us.

Hey everyone! I know this story may not be the greatest, but I'm trying! Review please! Next chapter is EPOV!